I was wondering if all lockring tools are created equal.

I'm trying to rebuild a bike and it's got this bottom bracket that seems to come apart with a lockring. I was wondering if it is extremely necessary to remove the lockring with its specific type of lockring tool, or is it possible to just buy a general hook-esque lockring tool and remove most (if not all) lockrings with it?

I'm not particularly a heavy lockring remover or a bike rebuilder, so I really don't want to buy "that specific lockring tool that only applies to the drive side of the bottom bracket on the 1953 version of whatever bike." I am trying to avoid spending too much money on allocating a plethora of what would be relatively minimally used tools.

Any other ways of removing lockrings?

The type of bottom bracket cup(?) is pictured below.

No, pretty much any single-tooth lockring tool for bikes will probably work. In the old days there were lockrings on headsets that required a tighter curve than on a bottom bracket lockring (or a hinged hook) but those haven't been on the market for several decades now. If you want to get fancy, a lockring pliers will grab the ring more securely than a hook type tool, but isn't strictly necessary for the task.

Hell if the OP just wants to get it off a flatblade + hammer will do as well. If he wants to actually reinstall that properly, just get the right tool. The hozan will do bb and track lockrings:

Generic lockring tool will be fine for removing the lockring.

Generic adjustable wrench (and lots of patience) will be fine for removing the cup itself.

Also, remember the drive side (non lockring side) of the bottom bracket is probably reverse threaded (unless it's Italian or an older French bike), so it unscrews clockwise.

Thanks, guys. =D

Lot of help.

on that adjusting cup/ lockring combo having the correct wrench for the adj cup is more important IMHO. while other tools will work it is of course much easier with it. a big adjustable wrench might work but I always found them unweildy.